Dugan v Mirror Newspapers Ltd [1978] HCA 54

ON THIS DAY in 1978, the High Court of Australia delivered Dugan v Mirror Newspapers Ltd [1978] HCA 54; (1978) 142 CLR 583 (19 December 1978).

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1978/54.html

The court held that Dugan, who was serving a commuted death sentence, was prevented by the English law of attainder to sue the Daily Telegraph for defamation. Under the law of attainder a capital felon, whilst serving a commuted sentence, cannot maintain an action in New South Wales for a civil wrong until he or she completes the sentence or receives a pardon.